With the modifications complete I put in the tubes (Psvane Cossor 300B, Psvane UK series 6SN7, Shanguang 574P rectifiers) and hooked it all up in the guest bedroom.
I thought I would break them in full spectrum and then biamp later. The speakers crossover at 2.2kHz.
Well, I love how they sound so much that I’ve abandoned the planned biamping. Combined with an SVS Classic 1000 sub taking over at 120 Hz these little 8 watt 300B’s were plenty loud enough for recreational listening in a medium room. And the mids were too sweet to go back to the Class Ds.
The other gear pictured is a Doge 8 CD player on top, my old Holo Audio Spring I and a VTL Maximal preamp (2 x ECC801s Telefunken). Using a Chromecast Audio for streaming to the DAC through 48k Toslink. This will be replaced by a Holo Audio Red in due course.
The output terminals are very busy, being biwired with spades to the speakers and a hi-level input to the sub from banana plugs. I didn’t get a biwired harness, so it’s two sets of spades and a banana plug on each terminal. Ugly and awkward, but doable. The speakers are 8 ohm and the hi level connection to the sub draws virtually no current.
Good fun, inexpensive and a nice upgrade for Genevieve.
Note that opening these amps voids the warranty and tube amps contain lethal voltages even after switched off until power capacitors discharge (about 20 minutes). In my case I am such a chicken that I did the mod before the amps had ever been turned on.